Tyler Perry

Born Emmitt Perry Jr. on Sept. 19, 1969, Perry grew up in a New Orleans purgatory located two blocks from expensive mansions and two blocks from extreme poverty. His working class father expected Perry to join him in the construction field, but the artistically inclined kid who suffered from depression and a teen suicide attempt (resulting from childhood abuse) did not seem like a likely candidate. He was working at an office job in 1991 when he happened to catch an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (syndicated, 1986-2011), that talked about the healing powers of writing. Perry picked up a pen and began chronicling his painful past, fictionalizing the names in case his family or friends ha... Continue Bio >>